Aside From Coins, Do You Have Any Other Hobbies?

How in the world do you read 3 books a week? I'm lucky if I can read one book in 3 months. Of course I don't put the time into it either. I do love books and reading though.

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My wife is always amazed at how fast I read books. I'm not a speed reader, at least I don't think so. I just never watch TV. You'd be surprised how much time you spend in front of that black box. I know I was.

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My wife is always amazed at how fast I read books. I'm not a speed reader, at least I don't think so. I just never watch TV. You'd be surprised how much time you spend in front of that black box. I know I was.

So is my dad, who is really the inspiration for this hobby. So whenever he is out there with me we have an epi-pen handy.

Funny enough though, since I stated three years ago, I've only been stung one time. (Took the suit off too early during a break in the summer harvest.)

The main thing you have got to do when you start taking boxes off the hive and pulling frames, is to not fear the bees; they can sense it I think. If I'm feeling a bit nervy before the 2 harvest days a year, I will take a xanax. I suppose a beer would also work. But I'm usually fine.

I bowl on 3 leagues. Perhaps I need one of these. But the ball is only a part of it all. How did the pro shop have a ball to fit just sitting around for you to try?

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They have demonstration balls sent to them by the manufacturer. They are drilled using Turbo grips which are interchangable and therefore, you can custom fit the fingers and thumb by insert after you select a demo ball with the correct span and throwing hand.

Astronomy. I have an 18" Obsession Dobsonian and a Zhumell Z10 Dobsonian, spend most clear nights outside, gazing up at the heavens.

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Don't get me wrong, I love our wooded lot and how convenient it is to stores, schools, and employers. But sometimes I really, really miss dark skies and clear horizons. I've got a 10" Orion Dob, but it's still wearing the solar shield from the Venus transit in... good golly, 2012.

Put together a 1/72 scale Space Shuttle Discovery in 4-D, which means you can see the inner spaces, structural components, and machinery such as the Main Engines plumbing, and the Flight Deck, the Mid-deck, the RCS thrusters components, wing spars, a cut-out of the Spacelab module, etc.

Put together a 1/72 scale Space Shuttle Discovery in 4-D, which means you can see the inner spaces, structural components, and machinery such as the Main Engines plumbing, and the Flight Deck, the Mid-deck, the RCS thrusters components, wing spars, a cut-out of the Spacelab module, etc.

I’m jealous of your progress @Sallent as work has stalled on my M4A3E8 Sherman. Just too tired after getting the 4 year old to bed each night. I still need to paint the figures, weather and seal the tank, and finish the diorama.

I’m jealous of your progress @Sallent as work has stalled on my M4A3E8 Sherman. Just too tired after getting the 4 year old to bed each night. I still need to paint the figures, weather and seal the tank, and finish the diorama.View attachment 746462

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Awesome job. Did you spray paint yours? I've been hand painting my models...not as professional or as smooth a finish as a spray job (and a lot slower), but I really enjoy the extra challenge and the slower pace. I do the models for stress relief, so the slower the better as it seems to slow me down and relax me more.

I do have a Vanguard Project kit I'm working on. Here is the outer shell of the satellite.

Not as neat as a professional spray job, but I'm doing these kits for my son and myself, and our enjoyment and experiences are all that matters. I'm not trying to impress anyone else.

Final product should look something like this, but obviously worse, as this one was finished by a professional.

It's a fun little kit of one of America's earliest satellites, and the world's first weather satellite. They may still be on Amazon if anyone wants to take a crack at building it. Only around $20, which is inexpensive considering that prior to the reisue of this 1958 kit some people were paying $150 for the original kits from 1958.

@Johnnie Black I also recommend this beauty. Never owned or built any Lego sets before, but being a space nerd the Saturn V was too good to pass up. I built it to display it in my office, and spent 4 nights working hard putting the 1969 pieces together. However, my 7 year old confiscated it and it is now on display in his room. He has had it for 2 weeks and he is still so exited that he will spend a few minutes every night pretending he is flying in the rocket. He's even been watching YouTube documentaries on Apollo since I let him keep this rocket. Naturally I pre-screening them as I don't want him to watch the flat Earth conspiracy videos and anti-science videos that are plaguing YouTube these days.

You have great hand paint skills @Sallent there are no streaks! So hard to do that by hand.

I typically use Tamiya acrylic spray cans for base coats like the olive drab on the tank. Helps prevent streaks especially if you use a good spray primer too. Tools, figures, and weapons are hand painted with acrylic. Working on the small details is relaxing. With military kits you can always weather them a bit to cover up mistakes, so your satellite looks amazing with all that exposed detail.

It really is a great hobby. Many kits are inexpensive and provide hours of pleasure. Once you have some basic tools and paints most of the expense is behind you. Unless you get like me and your kit buying outpaces your building. I have a closet full of super cars and military vehicles that need tending. It’s awesome you’re doing this with your son around. He’ll learn history, engineering, patience, and art. Great hobby for kids that I wish I had started early too.